Liquid anode based molten oxide electrolysis/ the production of oxygen from electrolysis of molten oxide

Abstract

It is the object of the present invention to present a cell for extracting oxygen from lunar regolith via Molten Oxide Electrolysis, comprising (i) a cathode, (ii) an anode and (iii) a crucible, wherein the anode is characterized as at least partially liquid. The anode may be constructed from palladium, lead, silver, gold, platinum tantalum, or from a mixture.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A cell for extracting oxygen from lunar regolith, comprising
 a. a cathode;   b. an anode;   c. a crucible;   wherein said anode is at least partially liquid and characterized by at least one of the following:
 i. a reduction potential of at least 0.8 volts; 
 ii. being inert to oxygen at temperature of up to 1600° C.; 
 iii. not forming emulsions with molten regolith; 
 iv. having a boiling point of at least 1600° C.; 
 v. having a liquid density higher than that of molten regolith; 
 vi. having a liquid density lower than that of the molten regolith. 
   
     
     
         26 . The cell of claim  1 , wherein said crucible is constructed from a material characterized by at least one of the following:
 d. chemical resistant to said lunar regolith;   e. does not react with said molten lunar regolith;   f. does not decompose at a temperature of up to 1600° C.;   g. does not evaporate at a temperature of up to 1600° C.   
     
     
         27 . The cell of  claim 25 , wherein said crucible is constructed from a material selected from a group consisting of zirconium oxide, hafnium oxide, boron nitride, silicon nitride, tantalum hexaboride, hafnium boride, magnesium oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride and zirconium diboride. 
     
     
         28 . The cell of  claim 25 , wherein said anode is selected from a group consisting of palladium, lead, silver, gold, platinum, tantalum, or an alloy of said materials. 
     
     
         29 . The cell of  claim 25 , wherein said anode is characterized as a liquid, a solution, an emulsion or as a suspension. 
     
     
         30 . The cell of  claim 25 , wherein said cathode comprises a metal selected from a group consisting of Mo, Pt, Ir, Rh and Fe. 
     
     
         31 . The cell of  claim 25 , additionally comprising a system for heating said cell to a temperature of 1600° C. 
     
     
         32 . The cell of  claim 25 , additionally comprising means for collecting and or storing said oxygen. 
     
     
         33 . The cell of  claim 25 , additionally comprising a system for removing used lunar regolith. 
     
     
         34 . The cell of  claim 25 , additionally comprising a system for adding said lunar regolith to said cell. 
     
     
         35 . The cell of  claim 25 , additionally comprising a system for heating said lunar regolith. 
     
     
         36 . The cell of  claim 25 , additionally comprising a system for generating an electric current. 
     
     
         37 . A method of obtaining oxygen from lunar regolith, comprising steps of:
 a. obtaining a cell, comprising:
 i. a cathode; 
 ii. an anode; 
 iii. a crucible; 
   b. adding lunar regolith to said cell;   c. heating said regolith to at least the melting point of said regolith;   d. generating an electric current of 2-10 volts;   e. collecting oxygen from said anode;   wherein said anode is characterized at least partially as a liquid and is characterized by at least one of the following:
 i. a reduction potential of at least 0.8 volts; 
 ii. being inert to oxygen at temperature of up to 1600° C.; 
 iii. not forming emulsions with molten regolith; 
 iv. having a boiling point of at least 1600° C.; 
 v. having a liquid density higher than that of molten regolith; 
 vi. having a liquid density lower than that of the molten regolith. 
   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said lunar regolith is characterized as comprising iron oxide. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , additionally comprising a step of removing used lunar regolith. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said crucible is constructed from a material characterized by at least one of the following:
 a. does not decompose at a temperature of up to 1600° C.;   b. does not evaporate at a temperature of up to 1600° C.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said anode comprises a metal selected from a group consisting of palladium, lead, silver, gold, platinum, tantalum, or any of their alloys. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said cathode comprises a transition metal. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said cathode comprises a metal selected from a group consisting of Mo, Pt, Ir, Rh and Fe.